Bearing structure and mounting



Feb. 22, 1955 H HAVENS ET AL 2,702,729

BEARING STRUCTURE AND MOUNTING Filed March 22, 1954 ffm. 53

5 o@ .IN1/EMDR.

Harry/Havens and BY Alber R. Thompson.

ATTORNEYS United States Patent C BEARING STRUCTURE AND MOUNTING Harry L.Havens and Albert R. Thompson, Kansas City, Mo., assignors to HavensStructural Steel Company, Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of MissouriApplication March 22, 1954, Serial N0. 417,876

6 Claims. (Cl. 30S-36.1)

This invention relates to bearing structures and mountings for operationin wet atmospheres, and more particularly to a bearing structure andmounting for supporting a fan shaft and cooling tower service.

In cooling towers having induced draft it is common practice to deliverwater or liquid to be cooled to a distributor in the upper portion ofthe tower, which delivers the liquid to be cooled to a core of decks andbaes for gravitation therethrough to a collecting basin at the bottom ofthe cooling7 tower. A fan is arranged in the tower to draw air throughone side of the tower and through the liquid gravitating through thecore, the air being exhausted from the tower by the fan.

In this type of operation the bearing and mounting supporting the fanshaft is subjected to moisture-laden air and in some instances theliquid ows over the supporting structure of the fan shaft. Inconventional struc tures there is some breathing in the bearing. Liquidmay be drawn directly into the bearing housing or move along the fanshaft by capillary action whereby the liquid enters the bearing,resulting in corrosion and also destruction of the lubricant film on thebearing and excessive wear, requiring frequent inspection andreplacement of the bearings.

'Ihe objects of the present invention are to provide a bearing structureand mounting therefor for operation in wet atmospheres that eliminatesdifficulty previously experienced and provides long, trouble-freeoperation; to provide a bearing structure with channels arranged wherebyliquid entering the bearing housing either during idle periods oroperation passes through the housing without entering the bearingproper; to provide pressure equalizing apertures to reduce breathingtendency of the bearing housing and also provide for drainage of anyliquid entering therein; and to provide a bearing structure and mountingtherefor that is economical to manufacture, easy to assemble andefficient in providing long, trouble-free operation.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention wehave provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a cooling tower with portions brokenaway to illustrate the bearing structure and mounting therein.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the bearing and mountingtherefor.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the bearing housing and fan shaft.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view through the bearing housing on theline 4-4, Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through the bearing housing.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view through a modified form ofbearing and housing.

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view through the bearing housing on theline 7-7, Fig. 6.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a cooling tower having a shell 2 enclosing a core 3consisting of spaced decks and baffles. A top member 4 is arranged atthe upper end of the shell 2 and includes a portion having upwardlyextending walls defining a liquid basin 5 arranged above the core 3. Thebasin 5 has a perforated bottom 6 which distributes the liquid and dropssame downwardly into the core for further gravitation therethrough to acollecting basin arranged at the bottom of the tower. The core 2,702,729Patented Feb. 22, 1955 ICC 3 is spaced from an end 7 of the shell, saidend having an aperture 8 provided with an outwardly extending flange orring 9. Mesh 10 is secured to the outer edge of the ange 9 and extendsacross the opening defined thereby to form a guard for a fan 11 mountedfor rotation in the shell adjacent the flanged opening 8.

The fan 11 is fixed on a shaft 12 rotatably mounted in a bearing housing13 which is supported by a hanger 14. The intermediate portion 15 of thehousing 13 is preferably cylindrical and is carried in a clamp member 16at the lower end of the hanger 14. The hanger preferably consists of abar 17 secured to a bottom wall 18 of the top member 4 and legs 19secured to and extending downwardly from adjacent the ends of the plate17. The legs 19 extend downwardly in converging relation, with theirlower ends secured as by welding to the upper clamp portion 20 of theclamp 16. The upper and lower clamp portions 20 and 21 respectively areformed from plate members bent in V shapes terminating in outwardlydirected flanges 22, the V shapes of the clamp members being of suchsize that the surfaces between the apices of the V shapes engage theperiphery of the cylindrical intermediate portion 15 of the bearinghousing 13 when the adjacent surfaces of the fianges 22 of the upper andlower clamp members are spaced. Fastoning devices 23 draw the clampportions together and wedge the cylindrical intermediate portion 15 ofthe bearing housing into the respective V shapes to securely clamp andsupport said bearing housing. The V shapes of the clamp members arepreferably arranged whereby the axes of the bearing housing 13 and shaft12 are parallel with the upper surface of the plate 17 when said plateis to be secured to a horizontal bottom wall 18. rl`he hanger structureis preferably fabricated and assembled as a unit to the top member bysuitable fastening devices 24.

Mounted on the top member 4 is a motor 25 which drives the fan 11 bymeans of a belt or other exible member 26 having operative engagementwith a pulley or the like 27 fixed on the end 28 of the shaft 12opposite to the fan 11, whereby when water is applied to the basin 5 andgravitates through the core 3 operation of the motor 25 drives the fan11, inducing a draft of air from an opening in the end opposite the fan(not shown), through the core and out of the flanged opening 8.

The evaporation of liquid in the cooling of same causes the air passingby the bearing housing 13 to be wet and also some liquid drops or isdrawn directly onto the housing 13. The bearing housing 13 consists ofthe tubular, intermediate portion 15 having a bore 29 larger than thediameter of the shaft 12 to provide suitable clearance therebetween. Theintermediate portion 15 terminates in enlargements 30 which havecounterbores 31 extending inwardly from the ends thereof for receivingbearings 32. In the structure illustrated in Fig. 5, the bearings are ofantifriction type each having an inner race 33 preferably a light pressfit on the shaft 12 and an outer race 34 which is a snug press fit inthe respective counterbores 31. The outer races 34 preferably engageshoulders 35 formed by the inner end of the counterbore in theenlargement of the housing. The enlargements of the housing preferablyextend beyond the races of the autifriction bearings, and ring members36 are pressed or otherwise suitably secured in the open ends thereof inengagement with the outer races 34 to retain the antifriction bearingsagainst movement longitudinally of the shaft 12. Suitable pressurelubricant fittings 37 are preferably arranged at the intersection of thetubular member 15 and the enlargements 30 and communicate with theinterior of the housing for applying suitable lubricant to the bearings32. Also the tubular member 15 preferably has spaced apertures 38 on thelower side thereof for equalizing internal and external air pressure andthereby preventing entrance of moisture by water vapor pressure and alsoto drain any accumulation of water from the inside of the bearinghousing.

Cup-shaped closures 39 are mounted on the shaft 12 at each end of thebearing housing 13. The cupshaped closures consist of hubs 4t) which arekeyed to the shaft 12 as by setscrews 41. The hubs 40 have radial endwalls 42 with the side surfaces 43 thereof adjacent the enlargements ofthe bearing housing spaced as at 44 from the end of said enlargements toprovide suitable clearance therebetween and also between the wall andthe ring member 36. The end walls 42 terminate in annular flanges 45that extend over the enlargements 30 with the inner surface of theflanges 45 spaced from the cylindrical outer periphery of theenlargements 30 to provide suitable clearance therebetween.

The annular flanges 45 on the closure members 39 have spaced internalgrooves 46 and 47 in the portion overlying the enlargement 30. ElasticO-rings 48 are arranged in each of the grooves 46 and 47 with theinterior of said O-rings resiliently engaging the periphery of theenlargement 34). The 0-rings are of such size relative to the width ofthe grooves 46 and 47 to provide suitable clearance between the O-ringsand the sides of the grooves, and the grooves are deeper than thediameter of the cross-section of the O-riugs to provide clearance aroundthe exterior periphery of said O-rings. A plurality of radially spacedapertures or channels 49 extend from the respective sides of the annularflanges 45 to the adjacent grooves 46 and 47 in spaced relation to theouter periphery of the O-rings 48 for escape of any liquid entering thegrooves.

When a cooling tower having a bearing and mounting therefor constructedas described is operated to drive the shaft 12 and rotate the fanthereon any liquid collecting on the exterior of the closure members 39is thrown therefrom due to centrifugal force. Any liquid collecting onthe enlargements of the bearing housing and tending to move therealongunder the annular anges 45 will reach the O-ring 48 in the groove 47 andin passing around the O-ring will enter the groove and be thrown to theouter periphery thereof by centrifugal force and driven through theaperture or channel 49 to the exterior of the closure member. Any liquidtending to move along the shaft as by capillary action through the boreof the hub 40 may enter the space 44, but then centrifugal force due torotation of the closure member 39 will cause said liquid to pass throughthe space 44 to the annular ange 45 and move between the ange and theperiphery of the enlargement 30 to the O-ring in the groove 46, and thenaround the O-ring into said groove 46 where centrifugal force will throwthe liquid to the outer periphery of said groove and through therespective channel 49 in the exterior of the closure member 39. Anyliquid collecting in the interior of the tubular intermediate portionwill drain through the aperture 38 at the bottom thereof. If liquidshould enter through one of the channels 49 or between the flange 45 andthe periphery of the enlargement 30 while the fan is stationary, suchliquid follows the grooves 46 and 47 to the bottom portion and thendrains out through channels 49 so that none of the liquid reaches theshaft 12 or enters the bearing through the axial aperture in the ring36.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 plain bearings50 instead of antifriction bearings are illustrated, said plain bearingsbeing pressed into the ends of the tubular member 51. In the use ofplain bearings the enlargements at the ends of the tubular member 51 arenot necessary. Therefore, the flanges 52 on the closure members 53extend over the ends of the tubular member 51 with suitable clearancetherebetween. The O-rings 54 in grooves 55 and 56 resilientlyengage theperiphery of the portion of the tubular member 51 extending into thecup-shaped closure members 53. There are channels 57 communicating withthe grooves 55 and 56 in the same manner as the channels 49 communicatewith the grooves 46 and 47 in the form of the invention illustrated inFig. 5. Suitable oil connections 58 are arranged in the tubular member51 and communicate with oil holes 59 in the bearings 50.

It is preferable that the lubricant ttings be arranged as illustrated inFig. 7 at an angle of approximately 45 with the vertical axial planeextending through the center of the shaft, and that said fittings be inthe lower portion of the bearings with the fitting for one bearing onone side of the vertical center and the'ttings for the other bearing onthe other side of the vertical center. The lubricant fittings 58preferably are connected to tubes 60 which lead to the exterior of theshell 2 in order to prevent liquid being cooled from entering saidtubes.

The operation of the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7and manner of disposing of any liquid tending to enter the bearings issubstantially the same as above described relative to the form usingantifriction bearings as illustrated in Fig. 5.

It is believed obvious we have provided a bearing and mounting thereforparticularly adapted for operation iu a wet atmosphere, as in coolingtowers wherein liquid tending to enter the bearings is turned bybarriers and thrown from the bearing housing, thereby reducing thetendency of the bearing to corrode or wear as is usually the case whenliquid can enter into the bear- 1n s.

gWhat we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A bearing structure of the character described for rotatably mountinga shaft for operation in a wet atmosphere comprising, an elongatetubular housing having cylindrical end portions and an axial boreextending throughout the length of said housing, a shaft extendingthrough said axial bore, bearing members sleeved on the shaft andmounted in the tubular housing adjacent each end thereof for rotatablymounting said shaft, closure members fixed to the shaft adjacent theends of the housing and having portions extending over the respectivecylindrical ends of the housing with operating clearance therebetween, agroove extending around the interior of each of the portions of theclosure members extending over the ends of the housing, and rings insaid grooves and sleeved on the peripheries of the end portions of thehousing with small clearance between the sides of the rings and thesides of the grooves, said closure mem- -bers having channels extendingfrom the exterior thereof and communicating with the grooves outwardlyof the rings whereby rotation of the shaft and closure members causesthe liquid entering the grooves to be forced outwardly through saidchannels.

2. A bearing structure of the character described for rotatably mountinga shaft for operation in a wet atmosphere comprising, an elongatetubular housing having cylindrical end portions and an axial boreextending throughout the length of said housing, a shaft extendingthrough said axial bore, bearing members sleeved on the shaft andmounted in the tubular housing adjacent each end thereof for rotatablymounting said shaft, closure members xed to the shaft adjacent the endsof the housing, annular flanges on the closure members extending overthe respective cylindrical ends of the housing with operating clearancetherebetween, a groove extending around the interior of each of theportions of the annular flan'ges extending over the ends of the housing,and elastic seal rings in said grooves and sleeved on and resilientlyengaging the peripheries of the end portions of the housing with smallclearance between thesides of the seal rings and the sides of thegrooves, said annular flanges having channels extending from theexterior thereof and communicating with the grooves outwardly of theseal rings whereby rotation of the shaft and closure members causes theliquid entering the grooves to be forced outwardly through saidchannels.

3. A bearing structure of the character described for rotatably mountinga shaft for operation in a wet atmosphere comprising, an elongatetubular housing having cylindrical ends and an axial bore extendingthroughout the length of said housing, means secured to the housingbetween the ends thereof for supporting said housing, said housinghaving spaced openings in the lower portion between the ends thereof forventing and draining said housing, a shaft extending through said axialbore, bearing members sleeved on the shaft and mounted in the tubularhousing adjacent each end thereof for rotatably mounting said shaft,closure members fixed to the shaft adjacent the ends of the housing,annular flanges on the closure members extending over the respectivecylindrical ends of the housing with operating clearance therebetween, agroove extending around the interior of the portions of the annularanges extending over the ends of the housing, and rings in said groovesand sleeved on the periphery of the end portions of the housing withsmall clearance between the sides of the rings and the sides of thegrooves, said annular anges having channels extending from the exteriorthereof and communicating with the grooves outwardly of the ringswhereby rotation of the shaft and closure members causes any liquidentering the grooves to be forced outwardly through said channels.

4. A bearing structure of the character described for rotatably mountinga shaft for operation in a wet atmosphere comprising, an elongatetubular housing having cylindrical ends and an axial bore extendingthroughout the length of said housing, means secured to the housingbetween the ends thereof for supporting said housing, said housinghaving spaced openings in the lower portion between the ends thereof forventing and draining said housing, a shaft extending through said axialbore, bearingV members sleeved on the shaft and mounted in the tubularhousing adjacent each end thereof for rotatably mounting said shaft,closure members fixed to the shaft adjacent the ends of the housing,annular flanges on the closure members extending over the respectivecylindrical ends of the housing with operating clearance therebetween,spaced grooves extending around the interior of the portion of theannular flanges extending over the ends of the housing, and elastic sealrings in said grooves and sleeved on and resiliently engaging theperiphery of the end portions of the housing with small clearancebetween the sides of the seal rings and the sides of the grooves, saidannular anges having channels extending from the exterior thereof andcommunicating with the grooves outwardly of the seal rings wherebyrotation of the shaft and closure members causes any liquid entering thegrooves to be forced outwardly through said channels.

5. A bearing structure of the character described for rotatably mountinga shaft for operation in a wet atmosphere comprising, an elongatetubular housing having cylindrical ends and an axial bore extendingtherethrough, a mounting bracket having a portion adapted to be securedto a support and converging legs extending from said portion andterminating in diverging plates forming a seat for receiving theintermediate portion of the tubular housing, a clamp member havingdiverging plate portions arranged diametrically opposite the rstnameddiverging plate portions on the bracket for engaging said intermediateportion of the tubular housing, means at the ends of the respectivediverging plate portions for drawing same together in clampingengagement with said intermediate portion of the tubular housing, ashaft extending through said axial bore in the tubular housing, bearingmembers sleeved on the shaft and mounted in the tubular housing adjacenteach end thereof for rotatably mounting said shaft, closure members xedto the shaft adjacent the ends of the housing and having portionsextending over the respective cylindrical ends of the housing withoperating clearance therebetween, spaced grooves extending around theinterior of the portions of the closure members extending over the endsof the housing, and seal rings in said grooves sleeved on the peripheryof the end portions of the housing with small clearance between thesides of the seal rings and the sides of the. grooves, said closuremembers having channels extending from the exterior thereof andcommunicating with the grooves outwardly of the seal rings wherebyrotation of the shaft and closure members causes any liquid entering thegrooves to be forced outwardly through said channels.

6. A bearing structure of the character described for rotatably mountinga shaft for operation in a wet atmosphere comprising, an elongatetubular housing having cylindrical ends and an axial bore extendingtherethrough, a mounting bracket having a portion adapted to be securedto a support and converging legs extending from said portion andterminating in diverging plates forming a seat for receiving theintermediate portion of the tubular housing, a clamp member havingdiverging plate portions arranged diametrically opposite the firstnameddiverging plate portions on the bracket for engaging said intermediateportion of the tubular housing, means at the ends of the respectivediverging plate portions for drawing same together in clampingengagement with said intermediate portion of the tubular housing, saidhousing having spaced openings in the lower portion between the endsthereof for venting and draining said housing, a shaft extending throughsaid axial bore in the tubular housing, bearing members sleeved on theshaft and mounted in the tubular housing adjacent each end thereof forrotatably mounting said shaft, closure members fixed to the shaftadjacent the ends of the housing, annular flanges on the closure membersextending over the respective cylindrical ends of the housing withoperating clearance therebetween, spaced grooves extending around theinterior of the portion of the annular anges extending over the ends ofthe housing, elastic seal rings in said grooves sleeved on andresiliently engaging the periphery of the end portions of the housingwith small clearance between the sides of the seal rings and the sidesof the grooves, said annular flanges having channels extending from theexterior thereof and communicating with the grooves outwardly of theseal rings whereby rotation of the shaft and closure members causes anyliquid entering the grooves to be forced outwardly through Saidchannels, and means for introducing lubricant to the respective bearingmembers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 77,261Crane Apr. 28, 1868 485,938 Hyatt Nov. 8, 1892 887,831 Muth May 19, 19081,287,166 Young Dec. 10, 19,18 2,165,916 Bissell July 11, 1939

